French drain cost in Bloomington, IN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $620 – $2,200
- Per linear ft
- $10.50 – $36.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #110
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a French drain in Bloomington, plan on $620 to $2,200 for 60 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $10.50 to $36.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 4% higher than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $23.42 an hour in the Bloomington area, 3% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Bloomington, IN, standard level
$1,100 to $1,700
About $18 to $28.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 56% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $480 | $750 |
| Labor | $620 | $970 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,100 | $1,700 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Bloomington, IN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $270 | $610 | $950 | 44% |
| Labor | $350 | $790 | $1,250 | 56% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $620 | $1,400 | $2,200 | 100% |
Why Bloomington prices look the way they do
Labor is 56% of the midpoint bill here, against 52% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is construction laborers (50%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (30%), pipelayers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Bloomington the blended ratio comes out at 1.13.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Bloomington metro is 94.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 60 linear ft comes to $610, compared with $650 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (95.1) and land at $0 to $0.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Bloomington. The wage table below marks each row.
Pick a size, pick a tier: french drain pricing in Bloomington
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Bloomington wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$620 to $1,250
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,100 to $1,700
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,550 to $2,200
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $310 – $620 | $550 – $860 | $780 – $1,100 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $620 – $1,250 | $1,100 – $1,700 | $1,550 – $2,200 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,250 – $2,500 | $2,200 – $3,450 | $3,100 – $4,350 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Bloomington bid
Crawl space drains
A crawl space French drain is $2,000-$8,000 installed.
Exterior versus interior
A shallow exterior French drain is $10-$35 per linear foot; an interior basement drain is $40-$85 per foot, or $4,000-$17,000 installed (HomeGuide).
Where the water goes
A sump pump adds $500-$1,800 and a dry well $50-$3,000+. Discharging to a storm drain can mean extra permit fees.
Bloomington labor market for French drain
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Bloomington is 1.13 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $23.42 an hour, 3% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.28 and $30.52 an hour. About 360 work in the metro. That is 49.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $29.87 an hour, which is 4% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.64 and $42.78 an hour. BLS counts 230 of them working in the area, 31.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Pipelayers (47-2151) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Bloomington metro, so we used the Indiana statewide median: $35.38 an hour against $23.56 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $25.02 and $44.16 an hour.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($30.52 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $110. At the 25th percentile ($19.28) it shrinks by about $65. The total moves by 7.8% or 4.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 73,240 jobs in the Bloomington area. That makes it the 251st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $19.28 | $23.42 | $30.52 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.64 | $29.87 | $42.78 | $28.78 | 1.04 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $25.02 | $35.38 | $44.16 | $23.56 | 1.50 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.13 | |||||
Climate in Bloomington: timing your French drain job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Bloomington Indiana Univ (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Bloomington (8 of 12 months). January, February, March and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March and December the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 108 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Bloomington gets about 49 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 18 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (5.4 inches in June). Inside the workable window, August and September are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.8 inches. The station averages about 21 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 37 | 21 | 3.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 42 | 23 | 3.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 52 | 32 | 3.7 | Cold |
| Apr | 64 | 42 | 5.2 | Workable |
| May | 74 | 53 | 5.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 62 | 5.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 65 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 85 | 64 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 79 | 56 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 44 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 53 | 34 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 41 | 26 | 3.5 | Cold |
Is Bloomington cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (60 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Evansville is the priciest of the group at $1,500. Louisville is the cheapest at $1,350.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, INthis page | $620 – $2,200 | $1,400 | |
| Terre Haute, IN40 miles | $610 – $2,150 | $1,400 | −2% |
| Indianapolis, IN50 miles | $660 – $2,300 | $1,500 | +6% |
| Louisville, KY90 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −4% |
| Lafayette, IN90 miles | $660 – $2,300 | $1,500 | +6% |
| Evansville, IN95 miles | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | +8% |
| Indiana (statewide) | $660 – $2,300 | $1,500 | +6% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −4% |
Across 300 US metros, Bloomington comes in at #110 from the top. The priciest is San Francisco, CA at $1,900; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $1,100 (midpoints, 60 linear ft). Statewide, Bloomington is 5% below the Indiana figure.
Other Indiana metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, IN | 1,105,170 jobs | $660 – $2,300 | $1,500 | +6% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 225,520 jobs | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | +3% |
| Evansville, IN | 135,250 jobs | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | +8% |
| South Bend, IN | 131,670 jobs | $680 – $2,400 | $1,550 | +9% |
| Elkhart, IN | 127,730 jobs | $620 – $2,150 | $1,400 | −1% |
| Lafayette, IN | 102,200 jobs | $660 – $2,300 | $1,500 | +6% |
Cities with a workforce like Bloomington's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Bloomington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului, HI | 73,750 jobs | $840 – $2,950 | $1,900 | +35% |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | −15% |
| Rapid City, SD | 73,820 jobs | $590 – $2,050 | $1,300 | −6% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | 72,300 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −3% |
What nearby projects cost in Bloomington
Because every project leans on different trades, Bloomington's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, sprinkler system runs +9% and sod installation −3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,350 – $13,500 | +2% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,100 | −1% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,200 | −3% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,200 | level |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,350 – $10,900 | +9% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $37,200 – $116,500 | +3% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $1,100 to $1,700 for Bloomington, IN is attached.
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French drain in Bloomington: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Bloomington?
For 60 linear ft, expect $620 to $2,200 in the Bloomington area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,100 to $1,700. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Bloomington?
About $10.50 to $36.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $35.
+Is French drain cheaper in Bloomington or Terre Haute?
Terre Haute is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,400, which is 2% less than Bloomington ($1,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Bloomington?
About 56% at the midpoint, or $790 out of $1,400. Materials are 44% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Bloomington?
$620 to $2,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Bloomington?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $0 for fees in the Bloomington area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Bloomington expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Indiana?
Bloomington is 5% below the Indiana statewide estimate ($1,500 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Indiana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Bloomington?
The BLS median is $23.42 an hour in the Bloomington area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.28 to $30.52.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Bloomington?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $620 to $1,250 and premium work $1,550 to $2,200. Basic means: shallow yard drain, easy digging. Premium means: deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge.
+When is the best time to install a French drain in Bloomington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. August and September are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
French drain near Bloomington
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a French Drain Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = 48% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range 'Outdoor Living' category split (44% labor, 48% materials). It is a category average, not a French-drain figure, so the materials line here is a rough one.